Hat trick propels Brent Gates to Big Ten weekly honor

By @StefanKubus –

The University of Minnesota swept the Big Ten stars of the week, but a pair of players with Michigan ties were among the trio.

Grand Rapids native Brent Gates Jr. was named third star of the week, as he recorded his first career hat trick – and fourth hat trick in the Mariucci Classic’s 26-year history – in Minnesota’s 5-1 victory over Mercyhurst on Friday. The three-point night was a new career best for the sophomore, and the win helped propel the Gophers to their fourth consecutive win. The honor marks the first of Gates Jr.’s career.

Meanwhile, Muskegon Lumberjacks alum Eric Schierhorn had a lights-out week between the pipes for the Gophers to earn the Big Ten’s first star of the week. The sophomore netminder stopped 27 shots in Friday’s 5-1 win over Mercyhurst and followed up that performance with a 33-save outing in a 4-1 win Saturday. In the past week, Schierhorn led the league in saves (60), save percentage (.968) and goals-against average (1.00).